¶1. (SBU) Though there is no final confirmation yet,
President Arroyo will most likely attend the 2008 UN General
Assembly (UNGA), and therefore Malacanang Palace will give
full consideration to her participation in the Women Leaders
Working Group, according to Department of Foreign Affairs
(DFA) United Nations and International Organizations Director
Leah Ruiz. President Arroyo attended the Working Group
breakfast September 28, 2007, and has a record of interest in
the Working Group, Ruiz said. Ruiz noted two factors that
make President Arroyo’s attendance likely: the DFA had made a
strong recommendation that President Arroyo attend the UNGA
2008, and she has received a tentative speaking slot on the
first day high-level leaders deliver speeches to the UNGA.
Ruiz concluded that, assuming President Arroyo attends the
UNGA, the odds of her participating in the Working Group
(once she receives an invitation) were also good. Ruiz
agreed to follow up once the DFA has final confirmation of
President Arroyo’s attendance.